Friends,
I
got in another early start which helped updation of the expense account. This
is a habit over long years of travel – every little expense goes into the book.
I have found this useful at times, particularly when you get back to a country
after a lapse of time, to gauge how prices have moved. I was at the breakfast
table as soon as it opened at 7am. As usual the fare consisted of only uncooked
food – cereals, fruits, cold cuts, pastries and Danishes, yogurt, breads and
spreads, juices and beverages. The breakfast fare across the country was
predictable. These things, however, do not affect my treatment towards them!
After the heavy breakfast it was time to pack and get ready to leave for the
Renfe station to catch the train to Barcelona. While checking out the reception
clerk helped me with reasonably priced accommodation in Barcelona. I was
grateful for that especially since he mentioned that it is close to the railway
station in Barcelona. Vinod and I headed for Barcelona and expected the broker
to confirm inspection of the ship either there or in an Italian port by the
time we got to Barcelona.
The
taxi driver wanted to know whether we intended to travel by the fast or the
slow train to Barcelona; the stations are different for the two types of trains.
Since the fast train costs Euro 38 in tourist class to Barcelona against Euro
8+ by the slower one, the time difference being about 45 minutes, I decided on
the latter. We took tickets for the 8.56 am train, which arrived on the dot. It
was a commuter service, but managed to get seats of choice. The apparently slow
train did speed upwards of 125 kmph! I got busy working on the blog and at
times glancing at the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, which almost ran parallel
for some distance. Before I knew it came the announcement that the train is
arriving into Barcelona Sans station. It was a bit ahead of time. As I was
readying to get down I pulled out the hotel reservation and asked a lady
passenger for direction to it. She indicated that I would have to return by
another train from Barcelona. I was more than confused. Upon disembarking we
spotted a tourist info centre and decided to seek further directions from
there. The pleasant lady said that the accommodation was out of Barcelona city
and involved quite a commute. We asked if she could recommend a suitable hotel
nearby. She suggested that we speak to the travel agency at the station. The Cote
Ingelsis agency outlet was manned by a helpful girl, overgrown somewhat, who
gave us two options. We took the one just in front of the station, Hotel Expo,
which also happened to be the cheaper one at Euro 65 a night. It was a steal
compared to the one in Tarragona. We expected the hotel to be basic considering
the price. We were pleasantly wrong. The
room was spacious enough, the food good, the service efficient and the locational
excellent.
While
we were checking into the Hotel the broker confirmed inspection of the ship in
the Italian port of Gaeta on 22nd. Therefore, it was decided that we
should make best use of the time in Barcelona doing rounds of the city’s
attractions. As I had not researched adequately for the tourist tour we decided
on a two day hop-on, hop-off city tour on the Barcelona Bus Turistic Company
bus. The two day ticket came for Euro 35 and a host of discount coupons valued
at Euro 200; quite another fact that one had to spend many multiples of it to
avail of the discounts (entry to the acclaimed aquarium was Euro 25 and the
discount a majestic Euro 1.50 !). The tour is arranged in two routes, Red and
Blue. Red tour takes you around the southern part of the city and Blue tour the
northern parts. Since we wanted more time at the FC Barca stadium, which was
covered by the Blue tour, we decided on the Red tour on the first day.
Moreover, the Red tour started right between the hotel we were staying and the
Barcelona Sans railway station. I had an excellent view of the huge station and
the lighthouse style towers and the massive sculpture of the Parc de l’Espanya
Industrial from the 9th floor room. This was the site of a textile
mill in the past. It is now a park and recreational centre with boating
facilities. Not far from it is a gigantic sculpture by the celebrated modern
artist, Joan Miro.
The
Plaza d’Espanya looked majestic to merit a hop-off. Central to the square is a magnificent
fountain by another modern artist, Josep Mara Jujol. Behind it is the old bull
ring, the Arenas, converted to a most modern commercial complex, without losing
its architectural value. The fountain is in direct alignment to the majestic
Palau Nacional on the Montjuic (the name is derived from an old cemetery here) hill
and park – the setting for the 1929 International Exhibition and the 1992
Olympic Games (notice the interplay of the digits 1,9 and 2!). The Palau now
houses 1000 years of Catalan art. The views of the city are spectacular from
the Montjuic hill. Within close proximity is the Poble Espanyol (Spanish
village) and the main site of the 1992 Olympics. A leisurely stroll is called
for here to admire the Olympic Stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi (designed by a
Japanese architect), the Telefonica communications tower inspired by the
Olympic flame, the Sports University, the lovely water cascades and the
brilliantly manicured lawns.
We
rejoined the bus tour to enjoy panoramic views of the Cruise Terminals en route
to the World Trade Centre. There is a cable car service from the Montjuic hill
to the WTC in two segments. It promised to be best way to see the breathtaking
sights of the city. The MSC terminal was most impressive – two huge cruise
ships were berthed at the exclusive terminal which had separate vehicle
accesses to it. The rest of the cruise terminal had many aerobridge type
passenger accesses. From the WTC we walked to the the impressive Columbus
Column, the magnificent 180 meter monument to one of the greatest explorers. In
close proximity to it is the La Rambla, a magical and colorful boulevard, the Maritime
Museum and the Port Vell (the old port). Vinod and tried a ride on the Segway;
I feel it is ideal for use after parking away from crowded shopping centres.
From
the Port Vell point we rejoined the tour once again and got down at the Barri Gotic.
The Gothic Quarter has been witness to much of Barcelona’s ancient history as a
Roman town. However, the focus in the area is the Cathedral. After a visit
inside, as a believer and as a tourist I spent some time enjoying the beautiful
plaza. A young boy was trying to attract attention by making soap bubbles with
a couple of ropes dipped and waved in the air. He was beside himself when I
showed him a few photos I took of his skill. The tour for the day wound up with
a short visit to the Placa de Catalunya, which links the old town with the
newer extension in the 19th century and a drive through the Passeig
de Gracia which is considered to have some of the best pieces of ‘modernisme’,
Catalunya’s home grown new art – Gaudi is the main theme master, along with
Montaner and Puig. The stone façade of the La Pedrera suggests the movement of
waves, splashed by the wrought iron of the balconies. The building was under
renovation.
With
confirmation of the vessel in Gaeta Port on 23rd arrangements had to
be made for travel to Gaeta via Rome and deferment of flight from Madrid to
Cochin. While the latter was once again efficiently handled by Candida in
Cochin the travel agency at the Barcelona Sans station came to our rescue once
again. However, the air travel and hotel arrangement in Rome cost us precious
sightseeing time. With that organized we reached the Placa de Catalunya by the
Red tour to transfer on to the Blue tour. Vinod and I decided to sit through
the tour till we reached the Barcelona Stadium – the one point agenda for the
day was just that! However, the attractions on the way kept us riveted with the
informative commentary.
The Sagrada Familia, a large Catholic Basilica, was
begun in the late 19th century and is still under construction, and
is arguably the most visited monument in Spain. It was Gaudi’s dream and he had
devoted much time to it. When asked about the slow pace of construction Gaudi
is supposed to have said: My client is not in any hurry (meaning, God). When
finished, the basilica will have 16 towers, 12 for the Disciples of Christ and
4 for the Evangelists. The drive through the old district of Gracia gives a
flavor of the bygone years. The Park Guell, another of Gaudi’s attempts, was
unsuccessful in that the project was incomplete and was handed over to the
local administration before Gaudi’s death.
Finally
we arrived at the FC Barcelona Stadium. There are two stadium side by side and
it was difficult to know which one was the FC stadium. Even from the outside
the site was a disappointment. The grandeur and the aura that I felt outside as
well as inside the Real Madrid Stadium were absent here. The entrance fee was
high too. The tour is poorly sign posted and hence, we had to move about a bit
before we sighted the entrance. The stadium is reported to seat 100,000 people,
but was not a patch on the Madrid one. The seats were faded and the arrangement
did not look as grand. Where the stadium scores is in the tunnel – it is extremely
well done up. The Museum and mementoes were well displayed; the audio of the Barca
roar – welcoming the players on to the ground and signaling a goal - is a
highlight. Apart from the usual memento vending machines and the photographers
is the large merchandise store of FC Barcelona. The prices are outrageous - the
price of a Messi t-shirt is Euro 85! The disappointment with the place was such
that we decided to get back to the hotel early. I got down on the way for
another feel of the Placa d’Espanya, the fountain and Arena, a night view of
the Montjuic Palace and the work of John Miro called Woman and Bird, which
towers to 22 meters.
Dinner
at the hotel consisted of pasta and apple strudel with ice cream. I went to bed
wondering if I saw any evidence of Barcelona being a sex capital.
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